JCB, the renowned Staffordshire-based manufacturer of heavy machinery, has reported a significant surge in profits despite a global slowdown in the machinery sector. The company posted a 44% increase in pre-tax profits, reaching £806 million last year, up from £558 million in 2022. Revenue also saw an impressive 14% rise, totalling £6.5 billion, as machine […]
Middle-class homeowners across the UK are postponing their kitchen renovation plans as fears mount over potential tax hikes in the forthcoming October Budget. The possibility of higher taxes, signalled by shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, has led to a marked decline in consumer confidence, according to kitchen retailers. Jamie Everett, co-founder of bespoke kitchen manufacturer Naked […]
It’s a warm, sunny day on Slough Trading Estate, where enormous grey warehouses dominate the skyline. But inside one of these unassuming buildings, the future is unfolding. At Equinix’s LD6 data centre, Mike Oxborrow, senior sales engineer, demonstrates the high-security measures required for entry, including biometric scans. Once through the airlock, known as a “man […]
Rachel Reeves has called on workers to return to the office, emphasising the benefits of in-person collaboration, as she prepares to lay out Labour’s economic vision at the party conference in Liverpool this week. In a candid interview with The Times, the chancellor rejected the idea of remote working, stating that she leads by example […]
As the autumn budget looms, tax incentives and improved access to finance have emerged as key demands from UK SMEs, according to new research from Bibby Financial Services (BFS). The latest SME Confidence Tracker reveals that while business optimism has rebounded post-election, small business leaders are calling on the government to address critical financial barriers […]
More than one-third of women (36%) believe they are not paid the same as men within their organisation, according to a recent survey commissioned by Acas ahead of International Equal Pay Day on 18th September. The survey, conducted by YouGov, highlights ongoing perceptions of pay inequality, despite legal requirements for men and women to receive […]
Retailers across the UK experienced a 40% increase in product sales over the summer of 2024, according to data from e-commerce marketing platform Omnisend. The boost came after a busy sales season in June, July, and August, with 237,000 more sales recorded compared to the same period in 2023. Online retailers using Omnisend saw their […]
Labour’s proposed expat exit tax has come under fire from leading audit, tax, and business advisory firm Blick Rothenberg, which warns that the policy could drive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) away from the UK to more tax-friendly countries like France. Vanesha Kistoo, Head of Blick Rothenberg’s French Desk, described the proposed tax as “deeply flawed” […]
Landlords in the UK could soon be hit with capital gains tax bills of up to £90,000 if Labour’s proposed changes to the tax system are implemented. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested aligning capital gains tax rates with income tax rates, which would significantly increase the tax burden on property owners. Current average capital gains […]
A new report by The Entrepreneurs Network and Sumer, the UK’s leading mid-market accountancy practice for SMEs, has found that 44% of UK businesses have come close to shutting down in 2024. The United Growth Report, which surveyed 610 entrepreneurs across twelve UK regions, highlights the significant challenges faced by UK SMEs in a turbulent […]